Here is the best place to celebrate last-minute New Year's Eve

What are you doing for New Year's? Are you meeting up with your friend group, going to your parents' (where you start feeling sleepy at 23:17) or are you just sitting on the couch with a bowl of oliebollen and a slightly too enthusiastic New Year's conference? Everything has its charm, but hey: sometimes you just want something different. Something more exciting. Something with a different skyline, a different accent, and champagne that tastes just a bit better because it has been sitting in the cupboard for three years. You heard it right: a spontaneous trip abroad is always fun, but where are you going at the last minute? It can still be done: here are the five best last-minute destinations where you can spend New Year's Eve.

1. Paris

Is it cliché? Maybe. But is it magical? Definitely. Paris on New Year's is a bit like eating croissants in the city of love: predictable, but always a good idea. This city is romantic, festive, and on New Year's Eve feels like you've stepped into a movie set. Just imagine walking along all those lights by the Seine. You drink champagne right on the street, and everywhere you hear people wishing each other “bonne année” as if they've known each other for years. You want to be part of that, right? I want to experience the big fireworks spectacle at the Arc de Triomphe. Not in the mood for crowds? There are plenty of smaller parties, bars, and clubs where you can dance until the early hours.

Will you still manage that? Absolutely. You can still take the Eurostar to Paris Nord, you know. Is it cheap? No. For just under €200, you can travel back and forth, but then you'll be in Paris for New Year's. I would act fast, because this will really sell out a.s.a.p. Do you insist on flying? Then it will be quite a bit more expensive... at least €380.

You really don't have to spend a fortune here. Look, a last-minute deal is never very cheap, but for €87.50 p.p. you can stay at Hotel Esmeralda with a view of Notre Dame and close to the metro. That's ideal. Can it cost more? Then you can also stay at Motel One Paris-Porte Dorée. Here you can stay in style (because hello, have you seen that bar? Wow.) in a king-size bed next to the metro for €130 p.p. per night.

2. Berlin

Are you into partying? Then Berlin is your place to be. The party starts on December 31 and ends somewhere in January. The city is known for its gigantic street party at the Brandenburg Gate with music, fireworks, and millions of people all having the same plan: not going home. And after that? You go to clubs. Lots of clubs. From techno and disco to obscure basements where you suddenly find yourself dancing three hours later with someone whose name you no longer remember. This is the ultimate nightlife New Year's experience.

You can definitely still book flights to Berlin. Unfortunately, you won't do this for a tenner, but for about €241 p.p. Are you taking the train? Then it will save you a bit. With the ICE train, you can travel for about €200 round trip.

Although you probably won't be sleeping, you still need a place to store all your makeup, clothes, and other luggage. And it's nice to be able to sleep off your hangover in a hotel, right? Exactly. Think about Motel One Berlin-Spittelmarkt where you are close to the metro for €98. Or you can go to the Premier Inn Berlin Alexanderplatz, where you are also next to the metro for €93.50.

3. Lisbon

You might not think of Lisbon when planning a New Year's trip, but it's really fun here. This is one of those cities that always feels good, but is extra nice during New Year's. Celebrate your New Year's Eve along the Tagus River with 14 degrees (that's better than those degrees below zero here), fireworks, and live music on every corner. This is not hysterically crowded, but just a lot of coziness. During the day, you stroll through Alfama, eat pastéis de nata, and drink wine on terraces that are just open.

You might see a pattern, but it's really not cheap to fly to Lisbon right now. But that doesn't mean it can't be done, okay? Maybe you're just willing to pay for it? You can fly round trip from Eindhoven to Lisbon for €229, so you're also right in the city. That's nice. And the money you save can be spent on all those wines.

Lay your head down at Hills Hotel Lisboa for €102 (or €72.50 as you get it now with a temporary offer), where you are less than two kilometers from the center. Or you can go to the Altis Grand Hotel for €142.50, where you even have a wellness center. Are you going here? Then you've never entered the new year so well-rested, trust me.

4. Budapest

If there is a hidden New Year's gem in Hungary, it is Budapest. The city organizes a lot of street parties along the Danube. Here you have a beautiful view of the illuminated bridges and buildings. Enjoy live music at Vörösmarty Square or go to one of the special thermal bath parties at Sparty. This is really insane: these late-night spa parties are pure bucket list material. Go over the Danube during a boat dinner ride and then crash into your bed.

Looking for a cheaper flight? Then you need to read this. If you fly from Eindhoven, you can already get a round trip to Budapest for €136. That's worth it for me, I can promise you that Christmas bonus will be well spent.

Speaking of your bed (or well, that was in the previous paragraph, sorry), in Budapest there are of course plenty of places where you can sleep. In an apartment 0.6 kilometers from the center, for example. That will cost you at W24- Boutique Apartments €102 p.p. per night. You won't do it for that. Do you want the ultimate thermal experience? Then choose Queen's Court Hotel & Residence. That booking screams for €282.50 per night, but then you really sleep in a little palace.

5. Copenhagen

A fairy tale New Year? Sign me up. I want to celebrate New Year's in this city. The Danes really know how to make something cozy. Everywhere you have stylish parties with good cocktails and candlelight. On every corner, there is a fireworks installation, and there are really enough organized parties, so don't worry: you don't have to knock on some family's door. At hotspots like Nyhavn and Tivoli, you can let your party animal out. First, take a stroll through the Tivoli Gardens when you're there, because it really feels like you've stepped into a fantasy movie. Then dive into the bar.

Did you think Copenhagen is expensive? Then unfortunately, you are right. This city is really not cheap, but the flights won't drain your entire savings account. It's of course not cheap, but it doesn't cost €500, which I secretly thought. You do have to make a stop during your flight, but then you're in this beautiful city in six hours and €270 lighter.

And yes, even now, just before the New Year, there is still room for you in Copenhagen. At the AC Hotel you can just sleep. You will still have to pay €140 p.p. per night, but let's not talk about that for now. Is that not a problem for you? Then you go to Boutique Hotel Herman K. This hotel looks just like a hotel brochure, with those dark colors and beautiful fabric chairs. Oh, and it's only 400 meters from the center, so you can't get better than that.

So, what will it be? Couch, oliebollen, and your pajamas can always wait. But if this year you think: “Why not?” then a last-minute trip is exactly what you need. A little getaway, a little different, starting the new year with a mini-adventure. Isn't that fantastic?